It would be recalled that Akpala's first stint in the Belgian league was when he joined Charleroi in 2006.

He moved to Club Brugge in 2008 where he scored 44 goals in 130 appearances.

The former Bendel Insurance player made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2008 against South Africa, but scored his only goal for the team in a 1-0 friendly international win against France in Saint Etienne.

Akpala was a member of the Nigeria squad to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.